Otisco is a lakeside town with four-season appeal
About 15 miles southwest of Syracuse , the town of Otisco sits on the bank of the lake that shares its name. As the easternmost of the Finger Lakes, Otisco is a gateway to the region. “It’s a beautiful lake,” says Ann Yuhas, broker and owner of Yuhas Real Estate. “I grew up in Marcellus , and I was always jealous of the kids who lived on the lake.” Upstate New York’s four seasons allow the town’s 2,300 residents to enjoy lake activities all year long. “People are swimming in it by June,” Yuhas says. “Great fishing. You know when it’s OK to cross-country ski or snowshoe across the lake if you see the fishermen out there.”
Housing options range from cottages to lakefront Cape Cods
Many Otisco properties span 5 to 10 acres with sweeping lawns and mature trees. The lakefront is more densely populated, with most lots measuring under 10,000 square feet. Attached garages are common and especially handy during the region’s snowy winters. Average home values are slightly high for the Syracuse metro area, likely because of the lakefront properties. “They have gone up dramatically,” says Yuhas, who’s been selling in the area for more than 20 years. “They’re still about a quarter of what you’ll see on Skaneateles Lake, but waterfront’s getting way more expensive now.” Cottages and ranch-style houses sell for $125,000 to $220,000, while contemporary homes cost $320,000 to $500,000. Recently, a Cape Cod home with lake views sold for $590,000, while a similar waterfront property went for $595,000. Otisco has a CAP Index Crime Score of 1 out of 10, well below the national average of 4.
Lakeside park and causeway invite anglers to cast their lines
Fishing is a popular activity at Otisco Lake Park, a scenic spot shaded by evergreens and dotted with lakeside benches. Swimming is prohibited, however. Boat rentals, repair and services are available from Otisco Lake Marina near the causeway on the lake’s southeastern tip. The causeway, a footpath fringed with green shrubbery, is another good place to cast a fishing line. Pineview Run Auto & Country Club has a motor track with 10 configurations, a clay shooting range and trails for ATVs, horseback riding, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing. The course at Vesper Hills Golf Club is open to the public.
Bait, fuel and basic groceries at local convenience stores
Basic groceries, deli sandwiches, hardware supplies and nightcrawlers are available at D & R Convenience Corner, a gas station within a mile of Otisco Lake Park. Lakeshore Grocery at Otisco Lake Marina sells live bait, tackle and ice. For bigger grocery hauls, Aldi on South Salina Street in Syracuse is about 11 miles away. When locals want to dine out, they usually head to Syracuse or Cortland , a smaller city about 20 miles south.
Students may attend the Tully or Marcellus school districts
Students might attend schools in the Tully Central School District, which receives a Niche grade of C-plus. Tully students can start participating in clubs like art, drama and computer science as early as the fifth grade. Depending on their address, students might instead go to the Marcellus Central School District, rated B-plus.
Route 80 is the major artery connecting residents to Syracuse
New York State Route 80 keeps residents connected to central Syracuse, about 15 miles away. Upstate Community Hospital is about 12 miles away for medical services, and it’s a 25-mile drive to Syracuse Hancock International Airport.
